Staff Pick
Sweetheart, a torrid thriller by Chelsea Cain, has classic characters — sassy reporter Susan Ward (my favorite character) and pill-popping police detective Archie Sheridan, who is obsessed with the stunning, cold-as-ice beauty (and killer) Gretchen. It's set amid the sights and scenes of Portland, which makes for a lovely backdrop and a good read. Recommended By Adrienne C., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
With
Heartsick, Chelsea Cain took the crime world by storm, introducing two of the most compelling characters in decades: serial killer Gretchen Lowell and her obsessed pursuer Portland Detective Archie Sheridan. The book spent four weeks on the
New York Times bestseller list and garnered rave reviews around the world. But the riveting story of Archie and Gretchen was left unfinished, and now Chelsea Cain picks up the tale again.
When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland's Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer's first victim, and Archie's first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's — she's in prison — but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.
Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.
Chelsea Cain has topped her own bestselling debut thriller with this unputdownable, unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat read.
Review
"It's hard to say how long Cain can play out this lovers' duel between Archie and Gretchen before they tumble into their own Reichenbach Falls, but it's a sure thing we wont be leaving our seats before the final curtain." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"Gretchen requires heavily engineered suspension of disbelief, but there are numerous thrills to be had and, underneath the Grand Guignol, there's a perfectly normal detective story." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[S]ensual and engulfing....But it is the marital drama entwined with the carnage...that keeps us turning the pages." The New York Times Book Review
Review
"Cain's debut Heartsick had even the most jaded thriller fans sleeping with the lights on. She tells an equally frightening story in Sweetheart." USA Today
Review
"A sharp psychological inquiry into evil and obsession, as well as a deeply unhealthy love story." The Seattle Times
Review
"Profoundly creepy and disturbing." The Boston Globe
Synopsis
With Heartsick, Cain took the crime world by storm, introducing two of the most compelling characters in decades: serial killer Gretchen Lowell and her obsessed pursuer Portland Detective Archie Sheridan. Lowell and Sheridan's stories continue in this terrifying new sequel.
Synopsis
Portland detective Archie Sheridan, the former head of the Beauty Killer Task Force, hunted Gretchen Lowell for years before she kidnapped him, tortured him, and then let him go. Now that she is behind bars, Archie is finally piecing his life back together. He's returned home to his ex-wife and their two children. But no matter how hard Archie tries, he just can't stop thinking about Gretchen...
When the body of a young woman is discovered in Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the first corpse he discovered there a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer's first victim, and Archie's first case. Then, the unthinkable happens: Gretchen escapes from prison, and once the news breaks, all of Portland goes on high alert...but secretly, Archie is relieved. He knows he's the only one who can capture Gretchen — and now he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all. Even if it means becoming her last victim...
Synopsis
In this follow-up to Heartsick, Detective Archie Knox's latest murder investigation is derailed by a shocking development: beautiful yet sadistic killer Gretchen Lowell has escaped from behind bars, and Archie is the only one who can find her.
Synopsis
Portland detective Archie Sheridan, the former head of the Beauty Killer Task Force, hunted Gretchen Lowell for years before she kidnapped him, tortured him, and then let him go. Now that she is behind bars, Archie is finally piecing his life back together. Hes returned home to his ex-wife and their two children. But no matter how hard Archie tries, he just cant stop thinking about Gretchen…
When the body of a young woman is discovered in Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the first corpse he discovered there a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killers first victim, and Archies first case. Then, the unthinkable happens: Gretchen escapes from prison, and once the news breaks, all of Portland goes on high alert…but secretly, Archie is relieved. He knows hes the only one who can capture Gretchen—and now he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all. Even if it means becoming her last victim…
Synopsis
“Sensual and engulfing…keeps us turning the pages.”—The New York Times Book Review
Portland detective Archie Sheridan, the former head of the Beauty Killer Task Force, hunted Gretchen Lowell for years before she kidnapped him, tortured him, and then let him go. Now that she is behind bars, Archie is finally piecing his life back together. Hes returned home to his ex-wife and their two children. But no matter how hard Archie tries, he just cant stop thinking about Gretchen…
Sweetheart
When the body of a young woman is discovered in Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the first corpse he discovered there a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killers first victim, and Archies first case. Then, the unthinkable happens: Gretchen escapes from prison, and once the news breaks, all of Portland goes on high alert…but secretly, Archie is relieved. He knows hes the only one who can capture Gretchen—and now he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all. Even if it means becoming her last victim…
“Sweetheart is not afraid to explore damage too severe to be undone.”—Los Angeles Times
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About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Chelsea Cain lived the first few years of her life on an Iowa commune, then grew up in Bellingham, Washington, where the infamous Green River Killer was "the boogeyman" of her youth. Also the author of Confessions of a Teen Sleuth, a parody based on the life of Nancy Drew, several nonfiction titles, and a weekly column in The Oregonian, Chelsea Cain lives in Portland with her husband and daughter. Visit her online at www.chelseacain.com.